Audacious by Gabrielle Prendergast

Author:Gabrielle Prendergast
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV014000, JUV033000, JUV003000
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2013-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

REAL ART

Ms. Sagal stops me and Samir

As the class files out

Real art requires risk, she says

And a certain willingness

To be exposed

And vulnerable

Not just to scrutiny but to criticism

And even condemnation.

As Samir and I listen, he reaches for my hand

And squeezes.

Well done, Ms. Sagal says.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

We leave art class still holding hands

She didn’t say anything

About taking down my painting

Samir says, pulling me aside

To a row of drab lockers

As students stream by.

Your piece is dangerous, I say

But not obscene.

There will be fallout, discussion

But not censure.

Still, I think you had some people

Agitated.

Good, he says, with a cheeky smile.

Then he leans forward and whispers

I desperately want to kiss you.

So do it, I say.

What do I care who sees

Or what they think?

He looks like he’s about to

But suddenly he lets go of my hand

And takes a small step back

Glancing over my shoulder

Cool and detached.

I turn to look.

His friend Khalid approaches, frowning

Salam, he says, maljadeed?

Samir shrugs. Nothing, he says.

Khalid gives me a frank look

Then turns back to Samir

Expectantly.

I’m not completely stupid

I know what’s going on

Khalid disapproves of me

And thinks Samir’s affection

Is improper, and no doubt

That I’m a firebrand.

Salam, Khalid, I say

As though I say “Salam” everyday

I was tempted to say “Shalom” instead

But thought better of it.

Khalid smiles coldly

Then speaks to Samir in Arabic.

I’ll be there later, Samir says

He exhales as Khalid leaves

I’m sorry, he says, that was not cool.

I only nod and cross my arms defiantly

I’m just delaying the inevitable

My parents are going to freak.

And you, Samir, what will you do?

Pretend you don’t know me?

Promise never to see me again?

There is only one acceptable answer

And questions like that

Should never be asked.

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